The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-31
A. P. II. ASSOCIATION.
THE EMINENT ORGANIZATION WILL
MEET HERE NEXT WEEK.
Notes and Memoranda OF It's Early
Days, Growth and Assumption OF
National Character - Memphis and
the Prominence She Has Takon.

The American public health associa-
lion, which holds its annual meeting in
this city next week, had its origin In that
natural desire which thinkers and work.
ems in the same fields, whether Of business
or philanthropy, or the administration Of
civil trusts, have for mutual council, adj
vice and cooperation. Al the period OF
It's organization scientific preventive, or
State medicine, was beginning to supplant
the workers and expensive systems Of pub
lie health administration, which had long
been in effect.
State boards Of health had boen estab-
lishcd in several States New York city
had secured the metropolitan sanitary art,
which gave her most efficient and ag-
grcssive board Of health; Chicago had or
glnizcd its health department under the
provisions in general Of the same law. New
Orleans, 81. Louis and Washington city
had followed in the adoption Of new and
improved methods of health government,
The work Of these boards was far more
radical than VI any previous health organ
izations in this country. Inquiries into the
causes Of diseases were undertaken by
skilled inspectors, unsupported sources Of
III health were discovered and remedial
measures were vigorously applied. The
result was popular agitation Of public
health questions, adverse criticism OF the
acts and powers Of health authorities, and
no small poise TO the future growth Of san-
itary reform and progress in the United
States.
The men who al that time were bearing
Office ON these boards maintained u close
fellowship by correspondence, and mutu-
ally co-opcratcd with each other In devils.
Ing ncw plans 81 Soia aud in applying
methods OF reform. II required but slight
discussion 10 prove the importance oi
closer aud more practical relations among
health officers 10 secure general move
mcnt 10 organize n society Of gentlemen
devoted Ia the practical study aud appli-
cation of sanitary science, which should
also include the friends of public health
progress from all walks Of life.
After much patient preliminary work,
mainly by members Of the New York city
board OF health, the American public
health association was formally organized
at Long Branch, n. j., September ~,
1872. lis founders were either then or
since men 81 national fame, conspicuous
among them being Dr. Elisha Harris, now
deceased, first secretary Of the New York
p State board al health lir. Harris vas a
philanthOpist Of the highest type. From
busy days he contributed much time, aud
from slender means much money, 10 the
association lie was liz founder, II that
honor can he given 10 any one man. The
association went ON rather quietly with
It's great work, and, nj heavy expense 10 a
lew leaders, brought out three volumes Of
transactions up 10 1871.
In 1873 occurred the grca, epidemic In
Memphis which attracted notice and sym.
paihy from many villages in this Union.
That year the association met in Rich.
mond, Va, 20 soon M the epidemic
ceased. The attendance WIS iar larger
and more influential than ut any tim,
previous. The important work III thi,
session was the initial steps 20 establish .
national board Of health. To this enc
Senator Harris, q citizen 81 Memphis, de
voted much study and energy and undcI
his hand the national board Of health
became a reality. lts value was full,
tested In 1879. Through some malign Ia
flucncc u has been stiilcd by inaniiion
Recent events In New York harbor proves
Its necessity.
In November $50 the meeting wa,
held In Nashville, Tenn, aud was marked
by the large increase In local membership,
insomuch that President Billings an.
nouncrd that "ior the iirsi time IN the his
tory OF the as.pcintion financial natter,
have hcen made easy" II seems that
Nashville alone furnished from its ptomi
ncnt citizens quite 100 members
lnum this time the rsspciaiion has beer
able Ia publish annual volumes, Ia hand
t1me style, 81 lis valuable papers
Immediately following adjournment
President ". T. Porter was accompanied
by On. Billings. Folsom, iindslrv. Col
Waring ami Others tp Memphis TheI
commenced the grysi sanitary reformation
IN this city, which has given il worl,
wide inmc. AMI which u duly persisted IL
VIII made u thc leading city on the falhc
vi Waters
In bvvcmhrr 1851. the meeting W.,
held ~ New Orleans, specially under Il,
guidance ol thc noted auxiliary Slnitar
association Of that city. This War markc
by the largest attendance in the history Z
the body, aud by unusual couricsics iror
Iailroad officers, the members bcing paS.e
both ways free oi charge from rcmot
corner Of the country The Hon. job
johnson, Of Memphis, received niue
attention, hls work during tho ycllo'